On October 23, I spoke at a business stand-up organised by IN-HUB Přerov under the patronage of the Innovation Centre of the Olomouc Region. The evening was all about fuckups. For me, a fuckup lasts the first few minutes - after that it’s just experience that opens up another path for you.
Get inspired by people, don’t copy them.
I reached out to a man who works in change leadership, teaches people and startup founders, mentors. Someone who is, figuratively speaking, where I’d like to be. We walked 10,000 steps around Prague. We talked about my podcast, my courses, my business. And this man told me what he would do, how I should set my KPIs, a very analytical, rational view. Valid, great. Cut to: I’m sitting with my notes and I’m like: “Wow, this isn’t me at all.”
When someone tells you, “Hey, this is what I’d do in your shoes” - that’s inspiration. Your part is: “That’s a great idea - how could it work for me?” Or: “This isn’t me, forget it.”
Want to be creative, or anything else? Live it.
When I told a friend of mine: “Hey, I want to open the door to creativity, to create differently.”
Her answer was simple: “And what do you do for it every day?” (thinking)... Oh. I started playing the piano, for example, and found out that thanks to it, my brain opens new doors in business too. Want something? Live it every single day.
Business is like a marathon. And then it starts again.
I ran one once, in Prague. At kilometre 35 I wanted to f**king quit. Right then my cousin joined me for two kilometres. Those are your closest people - they don’t have to say anything, they’re just there. And with them, in business just like in running, you get through the crisis… until the finish line: 1 kilometre, 500 metres, people around you throwing up, slowing to a walk. Your head wants to give up. That’s when you learn to work with your head, home to your best friend, your hater and your coach. Which voice wins in the sprint to the finish?
Start with what you have. Find your way again. Get inspired, don’t copy. You’ve got this. Keep going, keep changing.